joining me now is dana milbank, columnist for "the washington post." he's writing about the republicans waving tax hikes and cynthia tucker and visiting professor of journalism at the university of georgia. thanks to both of you for being here tonight. >> hi, reverend. >> good to be here, reverend. >> dana, are republicans really ready to cave? >> well, reverend, first of all, terrific particular to see you and ann coulter on the same page. they've caved already. they have said, we're going to agree to an $800 billion tax increase. it's entirely possible that they are going to go off the cliff any way. it doesn't mean that a deal is imminent. it basically means that they surrender. they used to say that they wouldn't give a dime of tax increase for spending cuts. now they are saying, let's go and do it if we can get $3 of taxes for spending cuts. >> the choice may be down to, do they make the deal before the deadline or do they let it go over the cliff and then come back and vote the tax cuts for the medical class iddle class f to have a tack increase.